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Game 7-029: Middle Tennessee at Evansville
December 21, 2010 11:54 am ET by Kyle Whelliston

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Evansville Aces

December 18, 2010 3:05 pm
Roberts Municipal Stadium
BBState Stats/Recap



Roberts Municipal Stadium was built in 1956, back when indoor arenas were called "stadiums" and it didn't sound kind of awkward. It has seen a lot of Evansville Purple Aces basketball. It won't see too much more, because the team (and most of the city's country concerts and ice shows) will be moving to a shiny new building next season.



It's really not that spectacular of a venue, which is a big reason why it's being replaced. Physically, it's blocky and dull. But there were five national championships built in here ("college division" titles), and the sleeves and the wins and people who remembered what Evansville basketball really meant are pretty much gone now. But there are enough to fill out a humble web tribute page on Evansville's site. Some of them are very evocative and touching.
"Aces v ISU and Larry Bird in December of 1978. (The year ISU went to NCAA final game undefeated) This was just a few games into the new era after the crash. Larry Bird was phenomenal, on one occasion sliding out of bounds onto the concrete to chase a loose ball, leaving long streak of sweat. I literally thought the roof of Roberts would come off when Barry Weston slammed a dunk home to tie the game with about a minute to go. Quite possible the most excited I've ever been at a basketball game."
-Brad Miller, 52

"There was an ice storm in Evansville. Team, officials all here. Coach Crews saw me on campus and said 'you'd better be ready to play.' We won - and after the game - we - the team - were in the locker room, chest bumping and whooping it up. Coach Crews came in and said 'what are you guys doing??!!!' We were like 'we just beat Xavier, Coach.' He said "get out there and thank those 9000 people who risked their lives to come here and watch you play.' And we did. I will always remember that. It has stayed with me forever. Our fans."
-Marty Simmons

"Some of my fondest memories of Aces basketball are in the 70's. My dad was a U of E professor and loyal to basketball and music dept. Many years he took me and a friend to the games and what an awesome time we had. Daddy loved the Aces and faithfully bought the family season tickets. I miss daddy but will always have the memories of hanging out at Roberts Stadium with him and my family. Rest in peace Joe and Edythe Holt."
-Amy Holt Nalley, 48
I have my own memories of Roberts. It was the first Missouri Valley building I ever visited, my first Valley game. Even back then, in February 2005, when I had no real affiliation, Bob Boxell and the sports information staff let me sit up high in the vertigo press box, and I got to write about it. And it is way up high. The players might not look like insects from up there; I'd go with small rodents.



I have some experience with saying goodbye to quirky, ugly, outdated, soon-to-be-forgotten buildings. When I lived in Philadelphia, I went to hundreds of baseball games at Veterans Stadium. Right before they tore it down in 2003, they gave us small replicas to remember it by. Mine is still proudly displayed in my office at my mailing address in Rhode Island, but I know that most people used theirs as ashtrays.



The new arena will be completed with lots of amenities and flourishes, as Citizens Bank Park was, all specifically engineered to enhance the gameday experience. But part of the reason I prefer the boring old places is that they didn't have those. The Vet was horrible, but I remember the people I went to games with, all the conversations, the way the sun disappeared at different times in different months, and the games themselves. I hardly remember the actual place, except for the quirks that weren't designed to be remembered.

The venue never got in the way, receded into the background, allowed us to have our individual experiences within it. I'm almost 100 percent positively sure that's what the old guard of Evansville will feel too, once Roberts Stadium is demolished and gone. The stories people are sharing about Roberts on that page aren't about the architecture or amenities; they're about what happened there. The new arena will be fantastic, but most people who visit will have the exact same feeling while they're there. Which will be the point.

I'm not sure I'll get back to Roberts Stadium before the end of Season 7, but it's like anything for which the end is near: you say your goodbyes every chance you can.



@midmajority Game Tweets


14:57 Game 7-029: Middle Tennessee at Evansville. Roberts Stadium, one last time. http://img.ly/2Eet
15:00 This is the final season for old Roberts, a place we've been visiting all the way back to Season 1/100GP/Red State Goodwill Tour.
15:02 The new Evansville arena is beautiful, from the pictures. And press row will be at floor level.
15:06 Roberts Municipal Stadium is 54 years old, and is likely to be demolished, but there are those who want to save it. http://bit.ly/gB6bwj
15:08 Evansville (Valley) is 4-4, including that UNC loss. MTSU (Sun Belt) is 4-6, and was beaten by 15 vs. Furman. FURMAN. #youareinformed
15:10 Bally's vertigo is kicking in again. http://img.ly/2EeD
15:12 Ace Purple is not in the building today. Our favorite Purple Ace is Colt Ryan, the 6-5 shooter who's averaging 15 ppg. He's a sophomore.
15:14 They should. Dunno. Evansville fan #FCC? RT @MattnotDonovan: @midmajority will the Aces retain the parquet floor in the new joint? #MVCHoops
15:14 Where they let us sit at the JQH. RT @MSUWineGuy: @midmajority Floor Level??? What's that?
15:17 9-6 MTSU 14:38 1H. Soph James Gallman is the early MTSU basket man. Has seven of the nine points for the Blue Pegasi. (c) @bracketboard
15:18 I agree. I really have a soft spot for Roberts. RT @ECRNews: @midmajority Shame that old barn is going away after this season
15:20 Old scoreboard showing its age (player stats broken), but the PA can still pump out "Party In The USA" like it's 2009. http://img.ly/2EeH
15:22 I love the freight elevator we have to go on to get to the 3rd deck. Party suite is on 2, so there's always a good mix of writers & drunks.
15:23 Full agree. Underrated. RT @clickliter33 @midmajority played at Roberts for the d2 glvc tourney, loved that old building,they should keep it
15:25 They weren't last night after that Indiana game. RT @MattnotDonovan: @midmajority writers AND drunks? You imply they are separate?
15:29 Out on the floor, it's 15-13 Blue Raiders at the end of the first quarter. James Gallman (MTSU) has nine, three over his average.
15:31 Middle Tennessee up 20-13, shooting 75%. Went a month without hearing "Chelsea Dagger," and here it is on consecutive days. #blackhawkssuck
15:34 Elsewhere, we've got UCF leading Miami, Cle State hanging with WVU, UIC battling Ill, Loyola close vs. DePaul. All 2H. #RLUalert
15:35 RT @Dobber_BtB_SBN: Marcus Jordan has to be helped off the court. Couldn't put any weight on his left ankle. UCF 75, Miami 69 1:15 @midmajority
15:37 Another great thing about Roberts: the five purple national championship banners (59, 60, 64, 65, 71), tied with Indiana. #collegedivision
15:37 I just need you to experience this Roberts Stadium lite-brite hand clapping animation for a bit. It's hypnotizing. http://twitvid.com/FZC9M
15:38 Since you are in my karass, I should know that information. RT @rc3pt: @midmajority bet you didn't know my hometown is eville.
15:40 I see what you did there. RT @quarantedeux: Loyola vs. DePaul. I need to see this RLU happen. ("Red Line" having double meaning here.)
15:42 THAT'S where I remember it from. RT @minneapolisjack @midmajority Metrodome used to have a similar hand clap animation for Twins games. RIP
15:43 Evansville and Middle tied at 25, 4:49. It's turned into a low-possession shootout. FG%: EVAN 63%, MTSU 66%.
15:46 Don't 'member that. Then again, seats were so bad couldn't see the scoreboard. RT @SethHunt105 @midmajority ORE still has that at Mac Court!
15:46 #RLU RT @mwmiller20: @midmajority Embarassing sight at Hinkle. Butler rolling 68-34 on some school named Stanford. Not real familiar w/ them
15:50 Can't believe I don't remember that. #90s RT @thehemogoblin @midmajority They're on the tickers on the facades between the 1st and 2nd decks
15:51 Here in Evansville, the home team has snuck ahead on the basis of FT's (12/13) as the half concludes. 33-30, 1:11 1H.
15:51 RT @bracketboard: @midmajority I've mumbled under my breath at this ridiculous Blue Pegasi mascot over the years. http://bit.ly/a3fiyo #ilovebigredblobs
15:53 Then again, I spent most games at Mac Court in the 90s under the influence of "Blitz," so I prolly thought they were oscillating amoebas.
15:54 The Robot will be with you shortly. RT @Dobber_BtB_SBN: Final score here. UCF 84, Miami 78 #RedLineUpset @midmajority
16:10 [RLU ALERT] Central Florida 84, Miami (Fla.) 78 | http://tmm7.me/6rg @RedLineUpsets
16:15 [RLU ALERT] Butler 83, Stanford 50 | http://tmm7.me/6ro @RedLineUpsets
16:16 The UE dance team and the Jr. Aces Dancers. There's a section in #1BS about how serious this stuff is in Evansville. http://img.ly/2Efh
16:16 And we're back. Colllllt Ryyyyan has scored three baskets early in the second half, and Evansville has opened up a 45-36 lead.
16:18 Robo Kreps has laser eyes, he knows what you're thinking. Comes as no surprise, Christmas lights are blinking. #UIC
16:21 [RLU ALERT] Illinois-Chicago 57, Illinois 54 | http://tmm7.me/6rr @RedLineUpsets
16:24 Here at Arad McCutchan Court, Colt Ryan has gone #superhoop crazy for the Aces. 3 pts first half, 11 in first 5 minutes of 2H. 50-38 EVAN.
16:25 RT @mwmiller20: @midmajority @uniwatch Indiana State rocking the Bird-era powder blue unis against Purdue today.
16:26 Saw Indiana St. rock the powder-blues at Arch Madness in 09, and had a #unigasm. Kinda like Evansville trying to bring sleeves back though.
16:28 Colt Ryan is supremely confident at all times, always in control, has a little Curry in him. Might be an MVC POY by the time he's done.
16:29 Would definitely something resembling need a supporting cast though. Should also mention Marty Simmons is indeed unrecognizable.
16:31 Coach Simmons lost a TON of weight over the offseason. Like, 135 pounds. All with the help of a good nutritionist and a good wife.
16:31 RT @JeremyGuy_MAC: MAC Men's Basketball: Ohio and St. Bonaventure head to THIRD OVERTIME! Score tied 97-97 with 3:54 left. @midmajority
16:33 Haven't mentioned this in a while, but on a really old solid-state PA system like this one, Ke$ha 2010 totally sounds like Uffie 2006.
16:35 In other music news, a little 9-year-old girl just blew out the MTO kidz dance contest by doing the Dougie to "Dynamite." #yourmashupsucks
16:38 In basketball news, it's the end of the 3rd quarter and Evansville has run out to a 60-42 lead. Outscored MTSU 23-10 since the half.
16:40 James Gallman, the only Blue Pegasus doing anything worth anything, is somehow on the bench a lot recently. 6/7 FG, 3/4 #superhoop, 15 pts.
16:41 Oh, Gallman's flexing his leg and looks like he's not having basketball fun. Never mind. 63-46 Aces at 9:00 2H.
16:42 Just a reminder that we're dubl-dipping today. Game #30 will be WKU at Murray State later tonight. Two hour drive + Waffle House break.
16:44 Dayum, Bonnies and Bobcats. Who wants it more? RT @JeremyGuy_MAC Ohio 99, St. Bonaventure 99. We are headed to a 4th OVERTIME! @midmajority
16:46 Collllllt Ryyyyyan just buried another #superhoop, and Evansville is up 66-49 at 7:20 2H. Ryan with 18, 15 this half.
16:47 The T-shirtapult almost launched a purple XXL Gildan up into the press box. If you've ever been here, you know how impressive that range is.
16:52 Gallman back in for MTSU, but ld scorer James Washington is starting to pick up the scoring. 11 pts, two #super hoops. 68-61 EVAN.
16:53 Programming note: apparently Ohio and St. bona venture is on #pixelvision, if you like some cray-zee with your hoops. #4OT
16:56 Meanwhile, MTSU is making this a game. The Washington-Gallman tandem is on fire, and Raiders are back up to 61% shooting. 70-66 EVAN, 3:44.
16:57 Evansville's fight song contains the word "vim." Got to respect that. Can your fight song do this?
16:57 RT @JeremyGuy_MAC: MAC MBB Final: St. Bonnies 112, Ohio 107 (4OT). D.J. Cooper leads the Bobcats with 43 pts., St. Bonnie's Nicholson scores 44. @midmajority
16:58 Numbers from the Ohio-Bonaventure game sound like they are from some Robot basketball game played in space. 112-107 4OT, brown over green.
17:01 Meanwhile, here on "urf," it's a holiday free throw festival! Both teams in the dubl-bonus for ages. EVAN 71, MTSU 67 with 3 to go.
17:02 Roberts Stadium PA guy gets abrupt. "TURN OFF THE ARTIFICIAL NOISEMAKERS." Bally wasn't boinging that loud, come on.
17:06 Aces get two scores for MTSU's one in two trips, and creep ahead by six with a buck and a half left. 1:33 2H, EVAN 75-69.
17:08 They're scared of me there! The way I plug the jukebox w/ WH hits before I leave RT @Coachdeuce @midmajority be careful at the Waffle House
17:10 The six-point margin holds, and with a minute to go Evansville leads 77-71. And the hands keep clap, clap, clapping. Clap, clap, clap.
17:11 Busted inbound for Aces, and MTSU takes over. Gallman faked his man out of his shorts and went up for a #superhoop! 77-74 EVAN, 49 ticks.
17:13 Another backcourt turnover for Evansville, and a Jason Jones layup for MTSU! 77-76 Aces with 32 seconds to go! It's a ballgame!
17:15 And Jones sacrifices himself with his fifth foul, stopping a Colt Ryan layup. Ryan at the line: make, make. 79-76 EVAN, 16.7 2H.
17:15 OHHHH! And Gallman with a #superhoop that ties it!
17:16 And Kavon Lacey the other way with a short jumper! 81-79 Evansville! .6 seconds to go! Is there any Blue Pegasi magic on this day?
17:16 No! The wild halfcourt shot goes all Hayward! Aces win! 81-79 is your Purple final this afternoon in Game #29 of #S7.
17:20 Within 60 seconds of the buzzer, little kids took over the court. I think they've been waiting all afternoon for this. http://img.ly/2Eg5
17:21 And we got an ol-skool dead-tree Valley media guide out of it. Win! http://img.ly/2Eg6
17:21 RT @ValleyHoops: MBB Final Score: Evansville 81, Middle Tenn St. 79. Colt Ryan with 22 pts. Harris 13, Hopf 12, Lacey & Jahr 10. #MVCHoops
17:33 RT @midmajority360: Middle Tennessee 79 Evansville 81 | http://tmm7.me/6rz
17:36 Time to grab a case of Ski and skedaddle. We will miss you, old barn.


Boxscore


at EVANSVILLE 81, MIDDLE TENNESSEE 79
12/18/2010

MIDDLE TENNESSEE 4-7 (0-0) -- J. Jones 5-11 1-4 11; J. Washington III 5-9 2-2 15; J. Gallman 9-13 0-0 24; T. Ottley 3-4 3-7 9; R. Emanuel 0-1 0-1 0; J. Sulton 1-4 0-0 2; S. Jones 1-2 2-2 4; K. Hunt 2-2 1-2 5; K. Hammonds 2-3 1-1 5; J. Oden 1-1 0-0 2; T. Charles 0-0 2-2 2. Totals 29-50 12-21 79.
EVANSVILLE 5-4 (0-0) -- K. Lacey 4-7 2-4 10; N. Cox 2-4 3-4 8; C. Ryan 6-8 5-6 22; C. Hopf 1-2 10-12 12; K. Harris 4-6 5-5 13; P. van Tongeren 0-1 5-6 5; J. Jahr 2-5 4-4 10; D. Holmes 0-0 1-2 1; T. Taylor 0-1 0-0 0; L. Jones 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 19-35 35-43 81.

Three-point goals: MTSU 9-18 (J. Washington 3-6; J. Jones 0-1; R. Emanuel 0-1; J. Gallman 6-9; K. Hammonds 0-1), EVAN 8-10 (K. Harris 0-1; C. Ryan 5-6; N. Cox 1-1; J. Jahr 2-2); Rebounds: MTSU 21 (J. Jones 6), EVAN 23 (K. Harris 7); Assists: MTSU 15 (J. Jones 5), EVAN 12 (N. Cox 4); Total Fouls -- MTSU 33, EVAN 22; Fouled Out: MTSU-J. Jones; EVAN-P. van Tongeren.